Maryville mandolin prodigy joins Morgan Wallen opener on stage at Neyland Stadium

It was a homecoming of sorts from the opening moments of Morgan Wallen’s concert at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 20, as opening act Ernest welcomed to the stage an East Tennessee prodigy on mandolin.

Fifteen-year-old Wyatt Ellis, a Maryville resident and Knoxville native, was introduced by Ernest for their live rendition of  “Family Tradition” by Hank Williams Jr.

As the night goes on, time will tell whether music fans get a cover of “Rocky Top” in the Tennessee Volunteers home football stadium. In addition to his solo hits, Wallen is expected to play his cover of Jason Isbell’s “Cover Me Up.”

Time also will tell whether Wallen welcomes his own guests to the stage. The East Tennessee native had collaborated with the likes of Post Malone, Diplo and Lil Durk.

Ernest mentioned toward the end of his set that Jelly Roll is not in town, so there goes that dream.

Ernest ended his set just before 7 p.m, HARDY is up next, followed by Wallen. All three performers will be back at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 22 for their second and final show.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Wyatt Ellis plays mandolin for Morgan Wallen opener Ernest at Neyland